There has been a lack of blogging due to the rush of Spring sunshine and the need to get the garden under control. Things are looking promising.
Where a month ago there seemed to be nothing, now last years carefully chosen bee plants are springing up everywhere. May is without doubt my favourite month.
These noisy early dawning days start at about 4.30. Spring morning sounds spill into our rooms through open windows. Wild enthusiastic birdsong, bleating lambs calling for their mothers, cackling geese, chattering ducks and crowing cockerels. I don’t think I have ever lived in such a rural sounding place.
Clouds of mason bees hover round the bee house and all seems well in the Strawberry Pot, home of the little Hairy Footed Flower bees. The hedgehog is back, the mouse is very busy in the wicker planter, a racing pigeon has decided to stay and the Emperor moth won’t leave.
A small sketch of the beautiful moth, clinging onto the twig where it has been for a week. I brought the twig complete with moth, inside to draw, then put it back outside. It is entirely free to come and go but seems very happy to stay put. I read they don’t feed at all in their adult stage which seems to me to be inexpressibly sad!
There has been digging, seed sowing, planting, replanting, digging up more and more bits of the muddy grass to make way for more and more bee flowers.
I have painted the garage doors red and the big gate dark brown and I am wondering about adding a few little gilded bees. I have had two lovely workshop days with lovely weather and even lovelier participants. Yes!
May is the month for me.
Of course as I type there are howling winds and rain but last weekend I went to my favourite wood. The main path was nose to tail with bikes and people and kids and dogs.
But I know a little track where the only sounds are the birds and the knocking and creaking of the tall trees as they sway in the breeze. And here there are bluebells, extensive and lush stretching far, far away under the dappled canopy of the old oaks. A shock of blue in the dark wood. Beautiful. Jays, shy squirrels and black caps are all there too.
Drawing and painting resuming soon…
Such a beautiful drawing!
Beautiful moth! I've never seen them in this country, but I saw one back in Spain. Is is a female? They are more sluggish than males. She might have laid already or is just waiting for a male? The antennae are very different in males and females, in males they are feathered and larger.
Thanks you both. The moth was lovely and def a she. I think she had already laid her eggs somewhere and hopefully there will be more next year.
Africa: the Hairy footed flower bees are making the strawberry pot a continuing home this year..lots of them!
Denise: thank you so much! sometimes the quick ones are the best!